SCENARIO: Michelle Merlot is a recent Okanagan College graduate who works for ePitch³, a digital marketing company based in Kelowna. The company's clients include several prominent Okanagan-based wineries and, with the Okanagan Spring Wine Festival coming up in just three weeks, the company's president wanted a new promotional initiative that the company could pitch to its winery clients. The president told all the staff that if anyone came up with an idea that was approved and could be ready to launch in the next two weeks, they would be rewarded with a free trip for two to Las Vegas. Of course, this was not part of anyone's regular job responsibilities so if anyone wanted to take on this challenge, they would have to work on it on their own time, outside of work hours.

Michelle had an idea that involved developing an innovative mobile app that allows the user to track their wine visits, record wine tasting notes, compare their wine evaluations with others, and receive notifications about special promotions and events at participating wineries. Michelle had to consider many factors before deciding to take on the challenge. She would have to learn new programming code, but she was reasonably confident that she could figure out how to make it work. If her app worked, she would also have to build and lead a team of her peers to implement it. Of course, if she managed to develop and implement a successful app, it might help her professionally.

She was confident that her previous experience and her good reputation as a leader, combined with her social skills and her energy and desire to lead would set her up for success. She trusted her ability to influence others with her direct and honest approach. She had demonstrated in the past that she could work in stressful situations and under short deadlines. The trip to Las Vegas appealed to her. With student loans to repay she had not taken a vacation in a long time. Her best friend's birthday was also coming up and this might be a nice surprise gift for her friend. After considering everything, Michelle decided to go for it. She dedicated much time and energy and submitted it just before the deadline. She hoped it would be successful.

Use the scenario above to answer the following questions in parts b and c.

a) Leadership can be dependent on various bases of power. Identify and describe three bases of power using an example to support your answer for each one.

b) Explain which one you think would be most effective for a leader.

c) Describe the environmental scan Michelle Merlot should do to determine her strategy for the new app. What tools should she use, why and where might she find useful information.

d) Identify and briefly describe a theory of motivation and use it to explain three reasons why Michelle worked so hard to accomplish this task.

e) Based on the "Trait theory of leadership", identify three traits in Michelle's personality that could predict her potential to be a leader. Then suggest a style of leadership that you think would fit Michelle's personality, her goals and the situations she faces. Explain and support your answer.